Deborah Giorno, 67, of Ingleside in Lake County, Illinois, died March 28, 2018, a week before she was set to undergo a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) that was argued should have been performed more than a year and a half earlier.

“The case was very complex, but the very smart and attentive jury was able to work through all the medical evidence and understood what went wrong with Deborah Giorno’s medical care,” Cosgrove said following the verdict. “It is a tragedy that her husband and two children have to go through the rest of their lives without the person who once was their source of strength and great love. Debbie Giorno suffered much pain and suffering only to have neglect and incompetence lead to her untimely and premature death.”

At trial, Cosgrove detailed the complaints that Giorno communicated to her doctors and their staff, including fatigue, shortness of breath that limited her usual daily activities, and even chest heaviness. These complaints continued and worsened over a year and a half, with repeat echocardiograms demonstrating a worsening constriction of her aortic valve that was causing her heart to fail; however, Debbie Giorno’s medical providers who were managing her heart failed to refer her to a valve clinic to get the problematic valve replaced.

The jury deliberated two hours before returning an $8 million verdict that included $2.4 million for grief, sorrow, and mental suffering of the three family members. The court added $1.53 million in pre-judgment interest to the verdict as required by Illinois statute. The three-week trial was held before the Hon. Patricia O’Brien Sheahan of the Law Division of Cook County Circuit Court at the Daley Center.

T.J. Tomasik, partner at Clifford Law Offices, tried the case with Cosgrove.

For further information, contact Clifford Law Offices Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-21-0909 (cell) or pammenaker@cliffordlaw.com.

Case No.: 19 L 7372

Attorney for Defendant, Advocate Health and Hospitals Corporation, d/b/s Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, Advocate Medical Group, Stephen Rowley, M.D., Steven Chough, M.D., Marty Nashert, APN
Stetson F. Atwood and Scott Kater
DONOHUE, BROWN, MATHEWSON & SMYTH
131 South Dearborn Street, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL
312-422-0900

The post Brad Cosgrove Obtains $9.53 Million Against Advocate Medical Group in Negligent Cardiac Care Case appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.

Kevin P. Durkin, partner at the firm, along with co-counsel Daniel L. Clayton of Nashville, Tennessee, filed the case in Cook County Circuit Court in Chicago on behalf of the family of Duane Tabinski, 53, who was electrocuted June 30, 2023, as he worked to put together necessary audio components near Grant Park as part of the activities. Duane was retained by NASCAR as a contractor to work on the event’s race stage and racetrack, and to provide the speakers and microphones for the announcers and grandstands near Buckingham Fountain.

The complaint, filed on March 19, alleges that NASCAR, the Chicago Park District, and others in charge of the construction were negligent in their failing to take proper safety precautions to protect Tabinski. The lawsuit was filed by his widow, Kristin Tabinski. Duane, founder of his own audio company out of Nashville, Tennessee, also left behind two children.

“This was a horrible tragedy for the Tabinski family. What happened last summer in the course of the setting up of the NASCAR race in Chicago was entirely preventable and it cannot happen again,” Durkin said. “There was a terrible lapse in safety that led to the unfortunate death of Duane Tabinski.”

The lawsuit claims NASCAR failed to properly maintain a safe condition, failed to inspect the premises, and failed to comply with industry standards related to the event’s production. The lawsuit also names United Rentals, the company that provided the electrical equipment for the event; Four Lead Productions, an event services provider; Malo Communications Services, an electrical company; and McGuire Scenic, a set design company. The Chicago Park District is named for negligence by engaging in willful and wanton misconduct in its failure to ensure both Four Lead and NASCAR provide proper staging and production of the event.

Chicago is expected to hold a second NASCAR street race July 6-7, 2024, on what appears to be the same 2.2-mile course.

For further information, contact Clifford Law Offices Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-721-0909 (cell).

The post Clifford Law Offices Filed Lawsuit Against NASCAR and Chicago Park District for Worker’s Death During 2023 Chicago Street Races appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.

Bradley M. Cosgrove and Charles R. Haskins, partners at Clifford Law Offices, filed the lawsuit on behalf of Brian and Kristine Richards, parents of Sean Richards, against the entities who owned and managed the car wash and other employees.

Sean Richards had just graduated from St. Isaac Jogues grammar school and planned to attend Benet Academy as a freshman. Sean was taken emergently to a local Hinsdale Hospital and was pronounced dead three days later after being transferred to the University of Chicago. His death created an outpouring of support and love from the community.

The parents of Sean Richards made a statement at a press conference on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, along with their attorneys, Bradley M. Cosgrove and Charles R. Haskins, partners at Clifford Law Offices.

The press conference was held on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at 11 a.m. CT at 120 N. LaSalle St., 36th floor, Chicago.

“This unspeakable tragedy cut short the life of a young man who had so much promise in this world. This holiday season will be particularly difficult for the Richards family,” Cosgrove said. “There must be accountability for what occurred, not only for Sean and his family but for everyone who frequents that area in Hinsdale. This lawsuit sends a message to all business owners that safety must come first.”

The crash occurred about 2:30 p.m. on a sunny day when the Jeep exited the car wash in a busy downtown Hinsdale area, struck the young boy on the sidewalk, crossed two lanes of traffic before slamming into Fontano’s Deli and Subs, 9 S. Lincon St., injuring several others. Sean Richards was walking on the sidewalk heading to the local library when the speeding Jeep plowed into him.

For further information, please contact Clifford Law Offices Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-721-0909 (cell).

Media:

• Complaint of Brian Richards and Kristine Richards
• Richards Family Statement
• Press Conference Footage
• Photos:
  • Richards Family
  • Sean Richards
  • December 13, 2023 Press Conference:
    • Photo #1
    • Photo #2

The post Clifford Law Offices Files Lawsuit in Death of 14 Year Old Killed at Fuller’s Car Wash appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.

The tragedy occurred on September 29, 2023, when several vehicles were involved in a crash near Teutopolis, about 75 miles from the state’s capital, Springfield. At least five other people were injured and airlifted to area hospitals for treatment. Responders in hazmat suits tried to rescue those involved and clean up the highway, which area residents in the tight-knit community called a catastrophe.

A truck carrying about 7,500 gallons of anhydrous ammonia rolled over in a ditch causing the toxic substance to leak out and forcing the evacuation of several hundred residents in the area until late September 30, 2023. About 4,000 gallons reportedly were released in the air. Exposure to anhydrous ammonia exposure can cause breathing difficulty, irritation of the eyes, nose or throat, and burns or blisters.

The Chicago Tribune reported that in addition to having a commercial driver’s license, the person behind the wheel of a toxic-substance tanker must study further and successfully complete a test for a hazardous material endorsement, according to Don Schaefer, CEO of the Mid-West Truckers Association.

“All truck drivers and trucking companies are strictly regulated by the Federal Motor Safety Carrier Regulations, however, those that transport hazardous materials have even much stricter requirements under the regulations,” said Kevin P. Durkin, partner at Clifford Law Offices and who has successfully tried a number of trucking crash cases, some to record verdicts and settlements. “A thorough investigation of this horrific accident is needed to determine the failures that led to this in order to enhance public safety. While the NTSB likely will investigate this as will the Illinois State Police, the results will be months off. An immediate investigation is needed to protect the interests of the injured and the families who lost loved ones. Clifford Law Offices has conducted many of these investigations in the past and it is important to hire someone who has experience and knows how to get to the bottom of what occurred.”

A 15-member team from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are reportedly at the scene and officials expect to hold a press conference on October 1, 2023. Illinois State Police reportedly continue to investigate the scene as the highway remains closed.

The post Tragic Truck Crash in Downstate Illinois appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.

Bradley Cosgrove, partner at Clifford Law Offices, spoke to NBC reporter Natalie Martinez June 30th, 2023 about ways to avoid pool drownings of young children. He was on CBS Chicago with reporter Sara Machi on July 1st at 5pm and 10pm CDT.

Cosgrove obtained the largest verdict involving a drowning in the history of Illinois ($21.5 million on behalf of a six-year-old boy at a south suburban Chicago public pool) and the largest settlement ($13.75 million) in the state for a drowning victim just last year.

“Tragedies like this are often avoidable,” Cosgrove says. “Lifeguards know that small children are gathering at the pool, and they must be ever vigilant.”

To speak to Brad Cosgrove on how to prevent drowning accidents and the legal liabilities involved, contact Clifford Law Offices Communications Partner Pamela Sakowicz Menaker at 847-721-0909 (cell).

The post Bradley Cosgrove Interviewed on NBC and CBS Chicago About Ways to Avoid Pool Drownings after Tragic Death of Five-Year-Old at Tinley Park Pool appeared first on Clifford Law Offices.